Meta Tests 5 Avocado Model Variants Internally; Some Requests Now Use Google Gemini

Meta is internally testing at least 5 Avocado model variants in parallel, including the 9B-parameter Avocado 9B, multi-modal Avocado Mango (supporting image generation), and multi-model scheduling architecture Avocado TOMM. Parallel development of multiple product lines means Meta hasn't finalized the final release form.

Notably, some Meta AI user requests are now processed via Google Gemini models, moving beyond internal discussions. Due to lagging test progress vs industry-leading models, Avocado's release is delayed from March to at least May, and it's expected to be closed-source—marking Meta's shift from Llama's open-source approach to a performance-first strategy.